To do against bad luck with a good heart: this is the card played by Kylian Mbappé on Saturday, after being excluded from the PSG tour in Asia. All smiles, the striker signed autographs and took selfies with club supporters after training on Saturday in the Paris suburbs.
Less than 24 hours after the announcement that he would not be flying to Japan, Mbappé, in conflict with his club over his contract, traveled to Poissy, in the Yvelines, for reservist training.
At the exit, a black van stopped in front of the handful of supporters, often very young, who were waiting for it. The striker came out, smiling, relaxed, wearing a cap in the colors of the Parisian club. He signed autographs, jerseys, took the phones out to take pictures with the young supporters.
Never losing his smile, however, he refrained from answering when they questioned him bluntly about his future.
After politely greeting the small group with whom he will have stayed for about two minutes, his first public appearance since his exclusion, Kylian Mbappé got back into his van which moved away.
Neither the player nor his entourage have yet reacted to PSG’s decision not to take the star to Japan and South Korea, where his more distant supporters will have to make do with his face on promotional posters for matches. The club’s new coach Luis Enrique is due to give a press conference in Osaka on Sunday.
At the heart of the conflict between the two parties, Kylian Mbappé’s contract which expires in the summer of 2024, the player having not activated the clause providing for an additional season if he wishes.